Improvement in propeller-sleighs



R. SGHLTBR. Propeller-Sleigh.

No. 209,083. .Patentedfocn 15, 11s-7s..

llllll N.FEI'ERS. FHOTU-L|THOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D. t;A

UNITED STATES PATENT OEETcE.

RUDOLPH SCHLTER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN PROPELLER-SLEIGHS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 209,08 3, dated October15, 1878 application filed September 18, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH SGHLTER, of the city, county, and State ofNew York, have invented a new and useful Improvement inPropeller-Sleighs, which improvement is fully set forth in the followingspecification, reference bein g had to the accompanying drawing, inwhich- Figure 1 represen ts a plan or top view. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation, partly in section. Fig. 3 is a transverse section in theplane m a', Fig. 2.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

The invention consists in an improved combination of devices for drivingand steering propeller-sleighs, as will be hereinafter particularly setforlll.

In the drawing, the letters A1 A2 A3 designate the runners of my sleigh,two of which are situated on the rear part thereof and one in front. Onthese runners rests a platform, B, to which the rear runners aresecured, while the front runner is pivoted thereto.

G is the seat, and D I) are its supportingsprings, Awhich are secured tothe opposite edges of the platform B, and in the example shown arecomposed of flat strips of metal.

To the seat C are secured two brackets, E E', which extend downwardwithin the rear runners, A1 A2, and form the hearings for thepropelling-roller F, which is arranged transversely with respect to theplatform B. This roller is formed of or provided with a spiral ridge orblade, a, to penetrate the ice on which my sleigh is used, and onitsshaft is secured a cog-wheel, b, which is geared with a drivingwheel,el, through an intermediate wheel, c. The wheels c d have their bearingsin the bracket E. The shaft j of the roller F is guided in slots laformed in the runners A1 A2.

When the seat C is unoccupied the propelling-roller F is held a shortdistance above the ice or other surface supporting the sleigh by theaction of the seatsupporting springs D; but when it is occupied theweight of the person or persons seated thereon causes the seat to sinkdown, and by this means the propelling-roller is brought in' contactwith the ice.

' If the driving-wheel c is then turned, the sleigh is moved forward orbackward, as the case may be.

I have found that the propelling effect of a spiral blade or ridgesimply in contact with or very slightly penetrating the surface of theice is in the direction of its diameter, instead of in an axialdirection, as when the said blade is submerged.

rl`he pivot of the front runner, A3, extends up through the platform B,and to its upper end is secured a double-armed lever, e, which isconnected by means of link-bars ff to a second double-armed lever, g,pivoted to the platform, as at h.

The link-bars j' f are provided with pedals fr', to receive the feetofthe occupant of the seat C. By moving the link-bars f j' to and fro thelevers e g and the front runner, A3, partake of their movement, andhence the front runner can thereby be readily adjusted to steer the.sleigh in the desired direction.

The driving` mechanism herein described may be changed, and suchmechanism may, moreover, be arranged on both of the brackets E E'without departure from my invention.

I am aware that propelling-rollers having spurs or teeth have been usedin sleighs but the spurs or teeth of such rollers are liable to wear orbecome broken after short use-a disadvantage which'is overcome by theconstruction of my propelling-roller.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with a sleigh having ordinary runners, of adriving-roller provided with a spiral ridge or blade, and arrangedtransversely with respect to the course of the runners, and suitablemechanism for rotating said roller, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the pivoted front runner, of two double-armedlevers, one of which is secured to the pivot of the runner and the otherto a pivot fastened in the platform of the sleigh, and two link-bars,which are pivoted to the ends of the double-armed levers, and to whichare secured suitable pedals, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I hereunto set my hand and sealthis Mtlrday of September, 1878.

RUDOLPH SOHLTER.

Witnesses Rrcrm. Koen, W. HAUFF.

